Sign for electric doorbell switches



D. E. BENNETT SIGN FOR ELECTRIC DOORBELL SWITCHES Filed Aug. 6, 1945 INVENTOR.

.Doxwup E. BENNETT BY ATT Iz/YEr Aug. 17, 1948.

Patented Aug. 17, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,447,226 SIGN FOB ELECTRIC DOORBELL SWITCHES Donald Edward Bennett, Larkspur, Calif.

Application August 6, 1945, Serial No. 609,119

3 Claims. (01. 177-329) This invention relates to a sign for doorbells and the like.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an adjustable sign which can be easily attached to or assembled on doorbell switch devices, doorbell buttons, door knockers and the like, and which can be adjusted or reversed to indicate various suitable warnings at the entrance of a house and the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device which is highly useful and simple in construction. Convenience of arrangement, lightness and comparative inexpense of manufacture are further objects which have been borne in mind in the production and development of the invention.

The essential features of the invention involved in the carrying out of the objects indicated are susceptible to modification, but a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of the device, a doorbell button being shown in broken lines.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the device when the doorbell button is uncovered. I

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the device assembled on a bell button structure.

Plates, signs and other methods and devices heretofore used, to warn against disturbing people or against unauthorized entering of a place, proved unavailing, because they are easily overlooked or disregarded. My invention provides a device which definitely obstructs the use of the means of entry, for instance, it can cover the signalling devices such as doorbell buttons or knockers or even door knobs to warn persons in an unmistakable manner that entrance is not permitted. The device is also adjustable or reversible to remove it from its obstructing position, yet expose it to view in a prominent conspicuous position to give a warning of difierent kind when otherwise entering of the premises is permitted. In the herein illustration the invention is shown in the form and with legends most suitable for doorbell buttons, but the invention can be readily adapted for use on other types of devices where similar variety of warnings are desirable.

In the illustrative embodiment of this invention, I make use of a bracket I, on which is swingably supported a shield 2. The bracket l is adapted for quick fastening to existing appliances, in this instance, to a doorbell button structure 3. The shield 2 bears a legend or warning on each face thereof. For instance, in the herein illustration the face 4 of the shield 2 which is in view when the shield 2 is lowered in button covering or obstructing position, bears the warning Sleepingdo not distur The reverse face 5 of the shield 2 which shows when the shield 2 is lifted oil the button structure 3, bears another warning legend, in this illustration the words "No agents or solicitors.

The bracket l herein has a thin arcuate back plate 6, which can be slipped between the flange I of the bell button frame and the wall 8, or the surface on which the bell button is supported, in such a manner that it does not interfere with the electric wiring or the operation of the bell button. Then by tightening the flange 1 in place the 5, -back plate 6 of the device is tightly clamped in place, preferably along the upper edge of said flange l. A hinge flange 9 extends from the back plate 6 outwardly away from the wall 8 for spacing the shield 2 from the wall 8 and for holding the shield 2 in operative position. The shield 2 has a hinge ear l0 thereon, which is .pivoted by a hinge pin l I in an ear 12 on the outer edge of the hinge flange 9. It is preferable that the hinge flange 9 have an edge parallel with the plane of the back flange I for supporting the shield 2 in suitable swingable relation over the cover l3 of the'bell button structure 3. The shield 2 is of sufficient length and area to extend over and cover the 'bell button l4 when lowered.

In operation the device is quickly installed and clamped under the flange of the bell button structure. Then by dropping the shield 2 down in the position for covering the bell button [4 and obstructing its use, the warning Sleeping-do not disturi is exposed to view. By lifting and reversing the shield 2 into the out of the way position shown in Fig. 2 the bell button I4 is uncovered, but the warning on the reverse face 5 of the shield 2 is brought into view in the immediate proximity of the bell button structure 3.

The device is unitary, it does not require any adjustment, it can be quickly and easily installed, and is eminently adapted for its purposes.

I claim:

1. A warning device for doorbell switch device, com-prising a bracket adapted to be clamped between said doorbell and switch device and the sunface on which said doorbell switch device is mounted, and an adjustable shield on said bracket for covering and uncovering the doorbell switch device in respective adjusted positions and exposing to view different warnings in said respective positions. a

2. A warning device for doorbell switch device, comprising a bracket, a wall on the bracket adapted to be clamped between the said doorbell switch device and the surface on which said doorbell switch device is mounted, a shield having different warning legends on its opposite faces, and a pivotal connection between said bracket and said shield to support said shield in positions exposing to view the respective faces of said shield.

3. A warning device for doorbell switch device, comprising a bracket, a wall on the bracket adaptedto be clamped between the said doorbell switch device and the surface on which said doorbell switch device is mounted, a shield having difierent warning legends on its opposite faces, and a pivotal connection between said bracket and said shield to support said shield in positions exposing to view the respective faces of said shield, said bracket extending away from said wall and over said bell switch device, said pivotal connection being spaced from said wall, and said shield in one position extending over and obstructing access to the bell button.

DONALD EDWARD BENNETT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

